RTO-West Devika receives memorandum; assures to inspect and warn unauthorised taxi operators

Mysore/Mysuru: Autorickshaw drivers, under the banner of Mysuru District Karnataka Drivers Federation, staged a protest in front of RTO-West Office in Chamarajapuram here yesterday, condemning the unauthorised use of white registration board (white board) vehicles and Electric Vehicles (EVs) as taxis.

Prior to staging the protest, the auto drivers, along with several hundred autorickshaws, took out a rally from Double Tank in Lakshmipuram to RTO Office and raised slogans, venting out their anguish.

The protesters alleged that, Rapido and EVs are being operated as taxis in violation of law, thus affecting the livelihood of autorickshaw operators. It is also leading to increasing conflict between Rapido bike riders and automen. The automen, who had to bear the brunt of COVID-19 pandemic, are  left to suffer again, with the Government permitting bike taxis. Several of the two-wheeler owners in the city have also converted their vehicles into bike taxis, which again has hit the source of revenue of automen.

Taking a cue from the States like Delhi, Maharashtra and Telangana, which have banned bike taxis, the State Government should also ban the operation of bike taxis, the protesters demanded.

To buy or drive an autorickshaw, obtaining badge along with Driving License (DL) should be made mandatory. The autorickshaws having permit from other States and districts, should also be prohibited here. The fares charged online should be revised and the cap on operating the autorickshaw should be extended till 25 km in the city, they demanded.

District Vice-President of Karnataka Drivers Federation Shivakumar accused RTO officials of releasing six Rapido bike taxis, that were being operated in an unauthorised way, without producing them before the Court, even after seizing them. It is a clear violation of law on the part of the Officers, who are legally bound to discharge their duties, he added.

Receiving the memorandum from protesters, RTO-West Devika expressed the helplessness of authorities in acting against Rapido, as the company has moved Court. “However, we will inspect EVs and white board vehicles and will warn those operators,” she assured.

President of Karnataka Auto Drivers Federation G. Narayan, Federation’s Bengaluru President Manjegowda, District President Murugan, City President Satyanarayan Singh, City Vice-President Suresh, General Secretary Vinayak, woman driver Chaya, Siddaraju and others took part in the protest.